Helping Elite Performers

The next generation of high performers will perform, but on their own terms. In a recent blog post on the Harvard Business Review site, Mark de Rond, Adrian Moorhouse and Matt Rogan note the experience of Perween Warsi who built up the food empire, S&A Foods. “It’s the modern way of running a business. It’s not by hiring and firing; it’s by helping people to achieve their objectives, because if they succeed, I succeed. My success is in their hands,” Warsi said.

What can you do to help your elite performers? Here are some tips from the authors:

Do not tell them what to do.

Listen to them.

Employees will thrive on big challenges. They need to meet those challenges themselves.

Create a culture which gives permission as well as rewards for trying and failing.

Working long hours is a disincentive to younger employees. They want to do their best, but not at the expense of everything else in their lives.

New elite performers are “hungry… to makes things happen.” Companies need to change for this new breed of champions.

For more about elite performers, as reported by The Harvard Business Review, please click here.